Cancelation unlikely, organizers say

Organizers say the Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade will run today rain or shine.

It may be soggy, but today’s Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade will keep chugging along.

Scheduled to start at 10 a.m. along Tribble-Gap and Castleberry roads in downtown Cumming, the parade will take place rain or shine.

Cindy Hansard, an organizer of the annual procession, said rain hasn’t caused any cancelations in the event’s entire 56-year history.

“We’ve paraded through the rain before,” she said. “I don’t know that it’s ever been this heavy, but this is not our first rain.”

The National Weather Service is calling for a 100 percent chance of rain throughout the day, with accumulations of three-quarters to one full inch and a possibility of thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to climb above 80 degrees.

The July Fourth tradition features a number of antique steam engines, which were used about a century ago in farming and the lumber industry.

Local families have owned the machines for decades.

The parade also features a number of floats from various community organizations, churches and businesses.

“I hate it for the floats and things, but I’ve told them they can ride through,” she said. “The steam engines have to go.”

Hansard said this year’s parade may be one of the most memorable.

“It looks like it’s going to be very interesting,” she said. “It is what it is. We can’t control the weather.”